Thaksin vows to end Thai unrest, sparking strategy concerns
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s commitment to ending the unrest in southern Thailand by next year has sparked concerns and led to inquiries regarding the government’s actual strategies to address the situation, according to a political scholar from Thammasat University.
As an informal adviser to the ASEAN chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Thaksin made a significant visit to the Deep South last Sunday, February 23. During this visit, he extended an apology to the Muslim families who lost relatives in the 2004 Tak Bai massacre in Narathiwat, which took place during his prime ministerial tenure. Thaksin also committed to ending the violence in the southernmost provinces.
Chayanit Poonyarat, a lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science at Thammasat University, has reservations about the former PM’s intentions.
“I don’t believe anyone simply wants the southern unrest to end quickly. What matters more is how the problem will be addressed.”
She expressed concern over Thaksin’s declaration that he anticipates positive progress in peace efforts this year, culminating in a complete resolution of the unrest by next year.
“If we rely on the use of force, peace may be temporarily restored, but that won’t truly solve the problem.”
Chayanit urged the government to focus on peace talks with separatist groups as a more sustainable method for resolving the conflict. She also pointed out that the previous peace negotiation team had effectively ended its role with the conclusion of the Srettha Thavisin administration.
“The ongoing unrest is partly a consequence of Thailand’s political instability. Peace talks have been repeatedly disrupted whenever a government is replaced.”
Regarding the emergency decree currently in effect in the south to manage violence, she called for an evaluation to determine the law’s effectiveness. The findings, she said, would be valuable in deciding whether the decree should be lifted, reported Bangkok Post.
Meanwhile, Adul Khiewboriboon, Chairman of the Committee of Relatives of the 1992 Black May Heroes, expressed approval of Thaksin’s apology to the families affected by the Tak Bai incident.
Chayanit emphasised the need for dialogue with rebel groups.
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